Why did Eastwood draw his index finger across his throat (as if slitting it)?

[ailsagirl]

Last edited Sat Sep 1, 2012, 08:30 PM - Edit history (1)

Was that directed toward the President? I did not watch his performance but Martin and another MSNBC host (Matthews?) mentioned it.

That was pretty damn offensive

[kestrel91316]

1. That was aimed directly as the President. I happen to think it warrants

a little visit from the Secret Service about the inappropriateness of even the suggestion of violence against him.

If he had done it to Dubya, he'd probably have been detained and questioned the second he stepped off stage.

[XemaSab]

2. He's a director; it means "cut"

n/t

[gort]

3. I agree

Found this diagram that shows hand signals for floor managers. It is a non-verbal gesture used to signify "cut" to the person either on mic or on camera:

[RedStateLiberal]

5. Yeah right...

He wasn't directing anything. He was giving a speech and talking about getting rid of Obama.

Watch the video. He nods, says "yeah" and repeats the line "let him go" and then immediately makes that gesture using one finger slashing across the neck.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021243081

He wasn't saying "cut" he was throwing red meat to the crowd to get a reaction.

It was disrespectful and disgusting and he should be held accountable.

[gort]

12. I Didn't see it

The sign for "cut" is generally known in the broadcast industry as the hand at the throat. Just attack Clint for being a stupid old fart, not for advocating slitting the throat of a sitting president. That is just stupid.

[RedStateLiberal]

14. I didn't say he was advocating anything.

He was giving the crowd what they wanted - the more disrespect for President Obama the better to rile up their irrational hatred. His whole speech was all about disrespecting our president. To excuse that is just stupid.

[gort]

18. Ok

I agree with you when say that. It was disrespectful and stupid. I appreciate your response.

[bongbong]

6. Not really

You only see that slashing finger for "cut" in movies about movies. Nobody has used it, unless they were being ironic, in real movie production for decades.

[Canuckistanian]

9. No, "cut" is done with the whole hand

Clint used only his index finger, which generally means cutting someone's throat.

[AlinPA]

4. He was playing to the RNC crowd's hatred of the President. Thier huge applause showed that they

interpreted it as "kill him". The entire GOP crowd would be happy with that, that's why they responded with thunderous applause when he made the gesture. (Someone on DU said earlier that the ovation for that hand signal was the loudest of the convention) Just because Eastwood is a director and used a director signal does not mean that the crowd understood it the way a producer would intend it.

[Nye Bevan]

7. He was advocating the assassination of President Obama.

Pretty ironic given that in the movie "In the Line of Fire" he *saved* the life of the President.

[ailsagirl]

8. The consensus is that it was directed toward Obama

And that, given the whole tone of this ugly little spectacle, is something I can't help agreeing with.

[demwing]

10. no he wasn't

You guys are way off on this.

or maybe he was...he's a senile old dude, completely lost in his role. Reminds me a later years Reagan with crazy hair.

[cynatnite]

11. I don't know if he was consciously advocating President Obama's death...

but it was damn odd.

[ailsagirl]

13. I can't say I know what he meant

but I think at the very least it was a silent way of saying 'your term is up, now get out of here'
Which would be in keeping with the negative tone of his act.

[DearAbby]

15. Plausable deniability

Romney has one hour, to introduce himself to the rest of America...What was the first impression, the all important first impression...An old man, in an oversized suit, looking like a Nursing home refugee, talk to a chair....people are saying to themselves, WTF? Those in the crowd love it, those at home have no clue...the man is disrespecting the President on national television, made a threatening motion, to the glee of those in the audience, this was part of the evening when America will meet the GOP Nominee for President....This is decision making? This is what an experienced CEO would do? This was insane, No one can tell you what Romney said, he was as vague as usual, perhaps that was the intention of having an old man rambling on at an empty chair...so people won't see how vacant Romney is.

You vote for a confirmed liar, you are either insane or a racist. This was a disgusting spectacle. Rove talking about murdering people, they are hateful and violent in their rhetoric.

[ailsagirl]

17. Well put, DearAbby. Well put.

[Cha]

16. I think it MF Stupid.